Falkirk parents urged to consider flu jab

Morven Quin

Parents of primary school children in Falkirk are encouraged to look out for flu vaccine consent forms and to return them within seven days.

The flu immunisation programme for children was introduced last year and saw 63 per cent of children given a nasal spray to protect against the flu virus.

A consent form will be sent home in school bags and must be returned within seven days as no child can be vaccinated without parental consent.

Children are up to three times more likely to be ill with flu than adults but the vaccine can help protect youngsters against the dangers.

The childhood flu immunisation programme, which involves the vaccine being offered to two to 11-year-olds, is expected to eventually prevent an estimated additional 200 deaths per year and 1100 hospitalisations.

Dr Nicola Steedman, acting deputy chief medical officer, said: “Even healthy children can become seriously ill from flu and the vaccine not only helps protect them, but it also helps stop the spread of the virus.

“I’d like to reassure parents that the vaccine has an excellent safety record and was given to more than a quarter of a million children last year. Even if your child received the vaccination last year, it’s important they get it again as flu viruses can change. Find out more at immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu.